Player Focus: Rafinha Realising Potential at Celta Vigo

The kids from La Masia seem to popping up everywhere these days; after Gerard Deulofeu's headline stealing shows for Everton, it's quite easy to forget about another player from one of the most famous youth academies in the world, who is also developing in style.

Rafael Alcântara, aka Rafinha, is starring closer to home than Merseyside, in the delightful surroundings of Galicia, and recent performances suggest Barça might not only have to make room for Deulofeu in their team but also this tenacious youngster.

With older brother Thiago long gone to Bayern Munich, the younger sibling is making his own case for becoming a fixture in the future Barça setup. While Deulofeu has Roberto Martínez, Barça have found the right guide for Rafinha at Celta Vigo in Luis Enrique. Familiar with the lessons professed in the fields of La Masia, as well as being attentive to the development of youngsters, 'Lucho' has been able to offer not only discipline but also a platform from which the player can express himself. Not that Rafinha's received any special treatment, of course.

After a slow start, in part due to fitness levels during pre-season and thus not being handed a regular starting berth, the 20-year-old is beginning to make Celta tick as his game intends. His 7.08 rating from WhoScored makes him the third highest rated player at the club currently, trailing Hugo Mallo and another La Masia product Andreu Fontàs, who are joint top on 7.11.

His role in the three-man midfield, with license to break forward into attacking positions and penetrate defences is what suits Rafinha's game most. Still, this hasn't prevented Luis Enrique from using him as a versatile member of the squad. Rafinha has played in central midfield on 7 occasions, but has also occupied left midfield, right forward and right attacking midfield roles on various occasions. This will be key should he make it at Barça, and there is even the False 9 role he has fulfilled in the past that provides another string to his bow.

One of the main problems encountered for Rafinha has been that his influence in attack is restricted when deployed deep, but the reasoning behind this is that the player is adept on the ball and possesses the attributes to initiate rather than conclude attacks. Celta, with the likes of Michael Krohn-Dehli and Nolito, have players capable of creating danger in the final third, but perhaps not a raft of players able to get them there in the first place. Rafinha has made only 0.9 key passes per game this season, takes 0.9 shots per game and has just one assist to his name.

When deployed on the right side of attack against Real Sociedad, however, Rafinha put in his best performance of the season, attaining a WhoScored rating of 8.77. There he was not only able to construct, but finish attacks too - scoring two goals.

For the most part however Luis Enrique has identified Rafinha as the player to form attacks, target passes to the likes of Nolio and Krohn-Dehli, and open up teams. Making 38.4 passes per game, Rafinha has the 5th most of players making over 10 appearances for the team. His style of neat, fluid passing has meant an accuracy of 85.1% - unsurprisingly for a player with links to Barcelona, the best at Celta. There is a variation to his distribution though, and he has the vision to distribute in a manner that spreads play, shown by his 3.9 accurate long balls per game.

Dribbling with the ball is a prominent attribute to Rafinha's game, and so far he's managed a total of 26 successful take-ons (1.9 per game). This is the most at Celta, with Nolito coming in next with 1.6 per game. Rafinha's ability to run with the ball and attack space is a classic La Masia trait. Few central midfielders do so these days and attempt to beat players, and seeing Rafinha do it is refreshing. His brother glides forwards with the ball, and when opening up teams defending with a deep block it can be very useful. The only caveat in this approach is choosing when and where to release the ball, and being dispossessed 1.8 times per game is something that Rafinha will need to improve. In fact, it's been the only real issue Celta fans have had with the player thus far, as his eyes can widen at times and he attempts a touch too many.

As well as his vision, technique and passing ability, the physical side of Rafinha's game equally impressive. Packing stamina, speed and upper body strength allows him to be an influence without the ball too; his 2.4 tackles and 1 interception per game are strong statistics for a player who is primarily an attacking outlet. His willingness and desire to press from the front and hustle opponents in possession is another promising feature of Rafinha's game.

Despite his extremely formative years, Rafinha is making himself an important pillar in this young Celta squad. Although it hasn't been easy at times, there is a character and definition to his game that offers promise for the future. He may be from La Masia and count Thiago as a famous older brother, but these two facts won't define him as a footballer. Rafinha wants to carve out his own reputation and so far is going the right way about it.

Does Rafinha have the potential to be as good as his older brother? Let us know in the comments below